Washington has a single-subject rule for ballot measures. The relevant law restricts bills in the legislature. However, this restriction has be found to apply to initiatives as well. Key legal decisions to this effect are listed below.

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Washington has a single-subject rule for ballot measures. The relevant law restricts bills in the legislature. However, this restriction has been found to apply to initiatives as well. Key legal decisions to this effect are listed below.

Crafting an initiative

Of the 24 states that allow citizens to initiate legislation through the petition process, several states have adopted restrictions and regulations that limit the scope and content of proposed initiatives. These regulations may include laws that mandate that initiatives address only one topic, restrict the range of acceptable topics for proposed laws, prohibit unfunded mandates, and establish guidelines for adjudicating contradictory measures.

Single-subject rule

Washington has a single-subject rule for ballot measures. The relevant law restricts bills in the legislature. However, this restriction has been found to apply to initiatives as well. Key legal decisions to this effect are listed below.

Competing initiatives

In Washington, competing measures are arranged on the ballot so voters can express two separate preferences. First, voters choose between either measure or neither measure. Second, voters choose between one measure and the other. If a majority prefer neither, both measures fail. If a majority prefer either, then the second vote determines which measure will be approved.

When a measure has been rejected by the legislature, lawmakers may submit an alternative competing measure to voters.

Starting a petition

Each initiative and referendum state employs a different procedure for filing petition applications. Some states require preliminary signatures while others do not. In addition, several states review each proposed statute, verifying that the law conforms to the style and conventions of state law and recommending alterations to initiative proponents. Some of these of these states also review the law for more substantive considerations of content and consistency. Also, many states conduct a review of the ballot title and summary, and several states employ a fiscal review process which analyzes proposed laws to determine their impact on state finances.[1][2][3]

Applying to petition

Prior to collecting signatures, one sponsor (acting individually or for a group) must file a copy of the proposed statute with the Washington Secretary of State. The sponsor must also file an affidavit certifying that he or she is a legal Washington voter. There is a nominal fee for this filing.

Proposal review/approval

Once the measure is submitted, the Secretary sends a copy to the Office of the Code Reviser. The office reviews the measure and recommends changes to the initiative sponsor. These recommendations are advisory and do not oblige the sponsor to make any revisions.

Once the review is complete, the office issues the sponsor a certificate of review. The sponsor must then refile the measure and certificate with the Secretary of State who then assigns the petition a number (e.g. Initiative Measure No. 1183 or Initiative Measure No. 1163).

Petition summary

After the Secretary has assigned the initiative a number, he or she transmits a copy to the Washington Attorney General. The Attorney General drafts a ballot title consisting of three parts--a short statement of the measure's subject, a concise description, and a question asking whether the measure should be adopted. In addition, the Attorney General drafts a longer (75 word) statement impartially summarizing the measure. Only the full text is required on the petition form, but the ballot title or summary may be included.

Collecting signatures

Each initiative and referendum state employs a unique method of calculating the state's signature requirements. Some states mandate a certain fraction of registered voters while others base their calculation on those who actually voted in a preceding election. In addition, many states employ a distribution requirement, dictating where in the state these signatures must be collected. Beyond these overarching requirements, many states regulate the manner in which signatures may be collected and the timeline for collecting them.

Number required

Washington's signature requirement is based on the total number of votes cast for the office of governor at the last regular gubernatorial election. Initiatives to the People require signatures equal to eight percent of the votes cast for the office of governor in the last election. Initiatives to the Legislature also require signatures equal to eight percent of the votes cast for the office of governor in the last election. Veto referendum petitions require signatures equal to four percent of the votes cast for the office of governor.

Electronic signatures

Since electronic signatures are an emerging technology, the constitutionality of bans on e-signatures and the legality of e-signatures in states without bans is largely untested. Washington does mandate that petitions be printed on "paper of good writing quality."

Deadlines for collection

In Washington, initial filings for direct initiatives cannot be made more than ten months before the general election at which their proposal would be presented to voters. Initial filings for indirect initiatives cannot be made more than ten months before the regular session at which their proposal would be presented to lawmakers.

Signatures for direct initiatives are due at least 4 months prior to the general election. Signatures for indirect initiatives are due at least 10 days prior to the beginning of the session.

Getting on the ballot

Once signatures have been collected, state officials must verify that requirements are met and that fraudulent signatures are excluded. States generally employ a random sample process or a full verification of signatures. After verification, the issue must be prepared for the ballot. This often involves preparing a fiscal review and ballot summary.

Signature verification

Once the signatures have been gathered and filed, the Secretary of State verifies the signatures using a random sample method. If the sample indicates that the measure has sufficient signatures, the measure will be certified for the ballot. However, if the sample indicates that the measure has insufficient signatures, every signature will be checked. Under Washington law, a random sample result may not invalidate a petition. However, the Secretary of State is not required to review any petition that "clearly bears insufficient signatures."

Observers representing proponents and opponents of the measure may be present to watch the verification process.

Ballot title and summary

In Washington, the ballot includes the ballot title and the initiative's serial number. These are designated shortly after the initial filing. After a measure has been certified for the ballot, it also receives a section in the state's voters' pamphlet with arguments for and against the initiative.

Fiscal review

Once a measure has been certified for the ballot, the Office of Financial Management drafts a fiscal impact statement describing the "projected increase or decrease in revenues, costs, expenditures, or indebtedness" created by the measure. It is made available online or in the state's voter pamphlet.

The election and beyond

Ballot measures face additional challenges beyond qualifying for the ballot and receiving a majority of the vote. Several states require ballot measures to get more than a simple majority. While some states mandate a 3/5 supermajority, others states set the margin differently. In addition, ballot measures may face legal challenge or modification by legislators. If a ballot measure does fail, some states limit how soon that initiative can be re-attempted.

Supermajority requirements

In Washington, any initiated measure that would authorize gambling or a lottery requires a 60% supermajority vote. Other measures require only a simple majority vote. Regardless, for any ballot measure to be approved, at least one third of the voters voting in the election must cast a vote on the measure.

Effective date

Washington ballot measures take effect 30 days after the election. The official canvas of the vote must also be certified to the governor by this date. Initiated measures may also specify an effective date.[5]

Litigation

Within five days of the decision, any person may challenge a ballot title or summary. Within five days of the determination of sufficiency, any citizen may challenge the signature count. If the Secretary of State refuses to perform a signature count, the person/s filing the measure may challenge the decision within 10 days. All of these challenges should be filed in the Thurston County Superior Court. The decisions of this court may be appealed to the Washington Supreme Court

Legislative tampering

In Washington, no initiated statute may be amended or repealed for two years without a 2/3 supermajority vote of both chambers. Any initiated law, so amended, is not subject to veto referendum. After two years, the law may be repealed or amended by a simple majority vote.[6]

Proposed changes by year

2012

The following bills were introduced in the Washington State Legislature:aHB 2499: Bill description/summary: "Requires political advertising costing one thousand dollars or more, supporting or opposing ballot measures sponsored by a political committee, to include certain information on the top five contributors."

dHJR 4224: Bill description/summary: "Amends the Constitution to require the Secretary of State to reject any initiative for the ballot that will result in an increase in costs or expenditures of the state or local governments in excess of $5 million unless the initiative also specifies a tax increase or new tax to offset that increase."

Washington House Bill 1584: Bill description/summary: "Prohibits signature gatherers for initiative or referendum petitions from being within fifteen feet of entrances and exits of certain stand alone or retail stores, unless authorized by the property owner."

Washington House Bill 1888: Bill description/summary: "Requires the office of financial management, for each voters' pamphlet prepared for the general election, to provide information about how Washington municipal governments, state government, and the federal government receive their income, how they distribute it, and how the tax structure works."

Washington House Bill 1987: Bill description/summary: "Provides sufficient flexibility to county auditors to accept ballots where misspellings are present, yet the registered voter is clearly the same person."

Washington Senate Bill 5297: Bill description/summary: "Regulates signature gathering businesses. Provides that the initiative filing fee will be set by the secretary of state. Requires certain information from signature gatherers and additional information from petitioners on petitions. Authorizes the secretary of state to establish an
electronic system for a legal voter to pay a filing fee, file a proposed measure, and provide sufficient information in lieu of an affidavit to establish that he or she is a legal voter in the state."

Washington Senate Bill 5832: Bill description/summary: "Requires the office of financial management, for each voters' pamphlet prepared for the general election, to provide information about how Washington municipal governments, state government, and the federal government receive their income, how they distribute it, and how the tax structure works."